NCAA Basketball: Buy or Sell preseason top 25 teams of 2021-22 after a month
16. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks’ roster was one of the most intriguing to watch this season, due to bringing back several impact players from last season’s Elite 8 squad, along with adding several high-profile transfers from the portal. However, it took a month before seeing this team play in a meaningful matchup against Oklahoma, no disrespect to Cincinnati or Kansas State, who Arkansas defeated earlier.
The game ended up heavily in the Sooners’ favor with a 22-point victory. Outside of Davonte Davis’ 23 points, no one else really stepped up. It was an off game for transfers Au’Diese Toney and Chris Lykes, who had solid starts statistically. JD Notae has played like an All-SEC contender this point, leading the team with 18.1 ppg and 3.4 apg.
The concerns lie in the frontcourt, as only Jaylin Williams (7.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.7 apg) has had much of an impact. 7’3 center Connor Vanover has become matchup-dependent, while transfers Kimani Johnson and Trey Wade haven’t been part of the main rotation as of late. The 6’6 Toney playing the undersized four-spot at times can be advantageous offensively but defensively can be an issue.
With the way the schedule is set up, Arkansas could win another 6-7 straight games and we still won’t have a great look at how good they can beat, as the quality of opponents is more towards the backend. Coach Eric Musselman deserves the benefit of the doubt and Notae and Davis have looked the part. Whether or not they’re second-weekend good is a question but there’s not enough to “sell” them at this juncture.